Drew Church joined the Central Washington University men's basketball coaching staff as an assistant coach in 2018. This year will be his 16th season coaching at the college level and 9th year at CWU.
The Wildcats have been successful on & off the hardwood during his tenure. On the court, Church has served as the defense coordinator for the Wildcats since the 19-20 season. This past season, Central’s defense played a steady role in the Wildcats’ overall success. CWU limited opposing teams to a 44.4 percent shooting mark from the field and a GNAC best 29.2 percent from three-point range during conference play. The ‘Cats held their GNAC foes to a GNAC-best 116 three-point field goals. On the defensive glass, the Wildcats were one of the top defensive rebounding teams (25.9 per game) finishing second behind Saint Martins. Calvin Sisk was a defensive anchor for the Crimson and Black. Sisk protected the paint and led the GNAC in blocked shots in both the regular season (51) and GNAC play (36). This was the third straight year that a Wildcat has led the GNAC in blocked shots. In the 2024-25 season, Central turned in a solid defensive performance that helped anchor one of the program’s most productive years. The Wildcats limited GNAC foes to 71.8 points per game while holding them to 44.8 percent from the field. The Wildcats were once again elite at limiting their opponents three-point field goals. The Wildcats limited their GNAC opponents to 132 three-point field goals, trailing only Seattle Pacific (127). The ‘Cats also controlled the defensive boards, out-rebounding opponents 808-722 on the defensive end and finishing with an overall rebounding advantage. Wildcat sophomore Maverick Sanders led the GNAC in blocked shots in both the regular season (42) and GNAC play (27). Combined with their ability to pressure the ball and disrupt offensive flow, Central’s defensive execution played a key role in sustaining momentum throughout the season. During the 2023-24 season, the Wildcats’ defense proved to be a defining factor in one of the most successful campaigns in program history, culminating in the ‘Cats winning the GNAC title. CWU held GNAC opponents to just 70.7 points per game and limiting them to 43.4 percent shooting from the field and 30.8 percent from beyond the arc. The Wildcats held their GNAC foes to 114 three-point field goals, which was the GNAC best. The Wildcats were disruptive on defense, forcing 406 turnovers and recording 221 steals and 112 blocks. Wildcat Senior Samaad Hector led the GNAC in blocked shots in both the regular season and GNAC play, averaging 1.6 blocks per game. Central also controlled the glass, out-rebounding opponents 873-759 on the defensive end and finishing with a clear overall rebounding edge. Hector also played an integral part in the rebounding efforts, leading the GNAC in rebounding (9.2) and finishing second in individual defensive rebounds.
In 2022-23, CWU’s defense played a consistent and disciplined role throughout the year, holding opponents to 69.6 points per game across 29 contests. The Wildcats limited opposing teams to 44.5 percent shooting from the field and 33.4 percent from three-point range. Defensively, Central forced 400 turnovers while recording 182 steals and 85 blocks, applying pressure both in passing lanes and around the rim. On the boards, the Wildcats were one of the top defensive rebounding teams in the GNAC finishing with a defensive rebounding edge 736-683. Combined with physical on-ball defense and consistent team positioning, Central’s defensive effort provided a reliable foundation throughout the 2022-23 campaign. In 2021-22, the Wildcats led the GNAC in defensive rebounding. They averaged 28 defensive rebounds per game and secured 75% of all defensive rebounds. The Wildcats finished fourth in the GNAC in Field Goal Percentage Defense, limiting their opponents to just under 45% in GNAC play.
In 2019, CWU was one of the best defensive teams in the conference. They held their opponents under 70 points per game for the first time since 2010. CWU was among the GNAC’s best in scoring defense, field goal percentage defense, 3pt field goal percentage defense, and defensive rebounding. Senior guard Gamaun Boykin finished fourth in the conference with 30 steals and sophomore forward Matt Poquette finished fifth in the conference with 21 blocks in GNAC play.
Besides serving as the defensive coordinator, Church’s other priorities are recruiting & academics. The Wildcats have placed fifteen players on the All-GNAC list during his tenure. The Wildcats have had the GNAC Player of the Year twice in the last five seasons: Xavier Smith (2021) and Cavin Holden (2024). Both Smith & Holden were unanimous GNAC First Team selections and received All-West Region honors. In the classroom, the Wildcats won four straight GNAC Academic Conference Championships for the highest team GPA from 2019 - 2023. In 2019, the Wildcats won the GNAC Academic Conference Championship for the first time in program history.
Prior to CWU, Church spent seven years at Lewis-Clark State College. During Church’s tenure with the Warriors, LCSC advanced to the NAIA National Tournament five times, including a Sweet 16 berth during the 2015-16 season, while also claiming three Frontier Conference regular-season titles and two tournament championships. He helped the Warriors to the best winning percentage in program history in 2015-16 and one of four top seeds at the national tournament that season as well.
In addition to coaching nine NAIA All-Americans and 20 All-Conference performers, Church helped LCSC to an 18-0 start and a No. 3 national ranking in 2013. Most notably, former Warrior & Frontier Conference Player of the Year, Jacob Wiley signed a two-way contract with the Brooklyn Nets of the National Basketball Association in 2017.
During his summers at Lewis-Clark State College, Church was involved with one of the top AAU programs in the Pacific Northwest, Select Basketball. Church was the head coach of the Select Basketball “White” 17U team located in Boise, Idaho. During his time with Select Basketball, Church worked with 50+ student athletes who went on to play college basketball.
During his playing career Church was an NWAC East Region all-conference and all-star game selection while at Columbia Basin College. He averaged 13 points, seven rebounds, and two assists as a sophomore at CBC.
Church earned his Bachelor’s degree in Sports Administration from Lewis-Clark State College in 2013 and a Master’s in Organizational Management from Wayne State College in 2015. He and his wife Chelsey reside in Ellensburg with their sons, Niles and Rhodes.
